3527 
W6I88*. 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


/ 


Mammon  in  Verseland 


OR 


The  Power  of  Money 

BY 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  NIMS 


Author  of  "A  Keepsake  More  Precious  Than  Klondike  Gold," 
"Golden  Lines  of  Wisdom  for  the  Young,"  "Uncle  Reuben's 
Adventures  Abroad,"  "Nims's  Humorous  Question-Book," 
"Friendship  and  Home  in  Poetry  and  Song,"  "The  De 
serted  Farm,"  "Sweetheart  and  Wife  in  Poetry  and 
Song,"  "Forsaken  by  the  World,"  "The  Quar- 
train  Instructor  of  Youth,"  "Nims's  Humo 
rous  Epitaphs,"  "Mother  in  Poetry  and 
Song,"  "Human  Nature  in  Public  and 
Private  Life,"  "The  Counsellor  of 
Youth  and  Friend  to  Old- 
Age,"  "The  Declining 
Village,"  etc.,  etc. 


BOSTON,   MASS.: 

PRESS  OF  E.  L.  GRIMES  COMPANY 

122  PEARL  STREET 


OOPVRIOHT  -1OOS 

BY      QKOROE       W.      NIK 


Contents 

PAGE 

There's  Nothing  Takes  The  Place  Of  Money 7—  8 

Purse  Pride 8—  9 

If  You  Have  Gold  and  Wisely  Live 9—10—11 

The  Blessings  Gold  Bestows 11—12 

Why  Foolish  Act  ? ' 12—13 

No  !  No  !  Yes  !  Yes  !  You  Must  Have  Money 13—14 

A  Boastful  Millionaire 14 — 16 

Miserly 15 — 16 

If  I  Am  Pennyless Id— 17 

What  Mammon's  Power  Can  Do 18 

The  Young  Act  Wisely  When 19 

While  You  With  Wealth  Can  Dine 19—20 

A  Friend  To  Money  Be 20—21 

What  Mammon  Cannot  Do 21—22 

Quartrain 22 

Timely  Couplets 22—23 

Ill-Gotten  Wealth 24 

Laughing  At  Charity 26 

The  Mighty  Dollar 26—27 

Now  I  Don't  Have  To  Hang  My  Head 27—28 

If  Principle  In  Place  Of  Money  Ruled 28 

Quartrain 29 

Not  For  Money 29—30 

The  Man  Of  Means 30—31 

Judge  By  Character  And  Not  By  Gold 31—32 

While  Many  Thousands  You  Possess. 33 

The  Slave  To  Selfishness 34 

While  Money  Is  My  Friend 36 — 36 

What  Makes  You  Put  On  Airs  ? 86—37 

No  Great  Loss 37—88 

Gold  Drew  The  Line 38—39 

In  The  Mad  Rush  For  Gold 39—40 

Spend  Money  Wisely 40 — 41 

Refuse  To  Act  Dishonestly 41—42 


626064 


One  May  Be  Rich 42—43 

The  Gold-Struck  Man 43—44 

A  Mammon  Dialogue 45 

When  I  Returned  A  Millionaire 46 — 47 

When  Wealthy  I  Became 47 — 48 

A  Back  Number 48—49 

I  Love  My  Gold  Too  Wall 49—50 

Who  Judge  From  The  Standpoint  Of  Gold 60—51 

However  Rich 51 — 52 

Should  You  Some  Day  With  Wealth  Reside 62—63 

What  Friend  Can  Do  So  Much  For  You  ? 63—64 

Yes,  If 55 

The  Love  Of  Gold 66—56 

Money  And  Old-Age 67—68 

My  Greedy  Heirs 68—69 

While  You  Have  Money 69—60 

I'm  Called  A  Gentleman 60—61 

Tho'  Talented  Or  Not 61—62 

Unjustly  Slighted 62—63—64 

The  Model  Business  Man 64—65 

No  Change  In  Me 66-66 

The  Young  Do  Well 66 

A  Touching  Dialogue 67 — 68 

Quartrains  And  Couplets 68—69—  7 


THERE'S  NOTHING  TAKES  THE  PLACE  OF 
MONEY. 

In  all  your  wandering  thro'  this  vale  of  life, 

In  all  its  varied  scenes  of  light  and  shade, 

In  sunshine  or  in  tempests  wild  and  drear, 

At  home  or  in  the  busy  marts  of  trade; 

Upon  the  land  or  on  the  ocean  blue, 

In  trying  times  or  in  prosperity, 

In  days  of  dark  despair  or  seasons  bright — 

Where'er  your  earthly  dwelling-place  may  be — 

You'll  find  there's  nothing  takes  the  place  of  money. 

Chorus : 

My  boys,  roam  where  you  will,  live  where  you  may, 
However  wise,  however  good  you  be; 
Tho'  you  a  spotless  reputation  boast, 
Or  on  you  sweetly  smiles  prosperity, 
You'll  find  there's  nothing  takes  the  place  of  money. 

Tho'  your  fair  name  be  known  the  wide  world  o'er, 

Tho'  gifted  or  tho'  clever  you  may  be, 

However  great,  however  kind  and  good, 

However  brave  you  seem  on  land  or  sea; 

Tho'  honors  or  tho'  virtues  fitly  crown 

Your  noble  efforts  for  mankind  on  earth, 

Tho'  world-wide  be  your  reputation  here, 

Tho'  royal  or  tho'  humble  was  your  birth, 

You'll  find  there's  nothing  takes  the  place  of  money. 

Tho'  you  a  Christian  be  or  sinner  vile, 
Tho'  in  a  city  or  a  ville  you  dwell, 
Tho'  poorly  or  tho'  gaily  you  may  dress, 
Tho'  men  may  wish  you  ill  or  wish  you  well ; 


8  MAMMON    IN  VERSfiLAND 

Should  glory,  honor,  worth  and  fame  be  yours, 

With  every  earthly  boon  that  men  hold  dear, 

Tho'  all  your  fondest  hopes  be  realized 

And  all  your  noblest  wishes  blossom  here, 

You'll  find  there's  nothing  takes  the  place  of  money. 

Tho'  every  cherished  want  be  gratified 

And  every  fond  desire  be  granted  you, 

Tho'  naught  but  joy  and  pleasure  on  you  smile 

Or  those  you  dearly  love  ne'er  prove  untrue; 

Tho'  countless  blessings   fall  upon  your  head 

And  all  your  aspirations  bud  and  bloom, 

Tho'   happiness  and   friends   your  journey  cheer 

Along  life's  winding  highway  to  the  tomb, 

You'll  find  there's  nothing  takes  the  place  of  money. 

PURSE  PRIDE. 

Alas!  on  my  poor  relatives 

To  call,  I  never  care, 
Because  they  dwell  in  quarters  mean 

And  often  poorly  fare. 

Because  they  never  dress  in  style, 

Or  live,  lo,  as  they  should, 
I  think  I  ought  to  shun  them  e'en 

When  they  are  kind  and  good. 

I  know  not  how  it  seems  to  want, 

For  I  with  plenty  dwell, 
And  on  my  right  hand  and  my  left 

Friends  love  to  wish  me  well. 

So  why  ought  I  to  notice  those 
That  I  look  down  upon, 


MAMMON  IN  VERSELANI) 

Who  never  wear — 'tis  sad  to  say — 
A  decent  coat  or  gown? 

One  must  be  well  supplied  with  gold 

And  live  on  a  swell  street, 
On  whom  I'd  deign  to  call,  or  e'en 

In  public  warmly  greet. 

I  must  uphold  my  dignity 

Tho'  I  on  justice  tread, 
And  never  mingle  with  the  poor 

Till  I  to  pride  am  dead. 

Thus  shall  I  act  while  I'm  well  off — 

How  foolish  it  may  seem — 
E'en  should  the  wise  believe  my  brain 

With  folly's  seeds  must  teem. 

IF  YOU  HAVE  GOLD  AND  WISELY  LIVE. 

If  you  have  gold  and  wisely  live, 

You  will  respected  be, 
And  thought  more  of  than  one  who  fights 

The  ills  of  poverty;- 
At  home — abroad,  lo!  everywhere 

That  money  is  admired, 
Who  for  its  worth  and  mighty  power 

To  talk  are  never  tired. 

If  you  have  gold  and  wisely  live, 

You  can  be  well  supplied 
With  this  world's  goods  and  in  a  home 

With  plenty  blest,  reside; 
And  move  in  good  society, 


10  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

Where  the  well-dressed  appear, 
And  be  looked  up  to  by  the  friends 
Who  seem  to  you  so  dear. 

If  you  have  gold  and  wisely  live, 

The  world  will  stand  by  you, 
And  for  your  comfort  and  your  weal 

Be  not  ashamed  to  do; 
Then  dudes  do  'bout  your  greatness  blow 

And  of  your  fortune  boast, 
And,  when  'tis  possible,  are  glad 

To  have  you  for  a  host. 

If  you  have  gold  and  wisely  live, 

You  will  be  welcome  everywhere 
The  poor  would  strive  in  vain  to  be — 

In  mansions  rich  and  fair; 
For  gold  makes  one  important  feel 

And  charms  the  proud  and  vain, 
Who,  but  for  it,  to  plenty's  courts 

Would  not  an  entrance  gain. 

If  you  have  gold  and  wisely  live, 
You  can  and   will   do  good, 

And  when  it  is  your  duty  to 

Don  kindness'  sunny  hood; 

Giving  to  aid  those  objects  that 
Uplift,  reform  and  cheer — 

Striving  to  make  life's  pathway  seem 
To  the  oppressed  less  drear. 

If  you  have  gold  and  wisely  live, 

You'll  not  to  self  be  wed, 
Or  with  the  mean  and  miserly 

Desire  to  make  your  bed; 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  II 

But  you  will  for  your  neighbor  care — 

Regardless  of  his  creed — 
And  nobler  feel  when  you  have  done 

A  kind  and  worthy  deed. 

THE  BLESSINGS  GOLD  BESTOWS. 

The  blessings  gold  bestows  are  rich 

And  numerous,  indeed, 
So  those  who  never  want,  of  life's 

Good  things  are  not  in  need. 

Among  its  gifts  are  stately  homes, 

Where  wealth  and  culture  reign, 
And  those  unknown  to  cruel  want 

With  cheerful  plenty  train. 

To  those  who  love  to  noticed  be 

It  is  no  slender  reed, 
Or  a  mere  petty  boon  to  one 

Who  sows  ambition's  seed. 

Ay,  influence  and  power  it  can 

To  many  freely  give, 
And  prove  a  factor  powerful 

To  those  who  wisely  live. 

To  those  who  are  in  need  it  can 

The  sweets  of  plenty  bring, 
And  cause  a  life  by  penury  cursed 

With  cheerfulness  to  sing. 

It  can  misfortune's  ills  blot  out 

And  drive  the  wolf  away, 
And  cause  one,  whom  ill-luck  has  marked, 
His  honest  debts  to  pay. 


MAMMON    IN    VE.RSELAND 


In  all  the  varied  walks  of  life 

It  can  of  service  be, 
And,  as  naught  else  on  earth,  the  poor 

From  hunger's  grip  dost  free. 

No  earthly  friend  one  ever  finds 
That  can   such  blessings  bring 

To  those  who  have  rough  rows  to  hoe  — 
That  makes  life  seem  like  spring. 

At  home,  abroad,  where'er  one  roams, 

No  boon  like  gold  he'll  find; 
For  what  can  take  its  place,  or  be 

To  those  who  want  so  kind? 

WHY  FOOLISH  ACT? 

Why  foolish  act  by  envying  the  rich 
When  they  in  mansions  dwell, 

When  they  in  costly  coaches  ride  and  men 
Delight  to  wish  them  well? 

Why  foolish  act  by  basely  slurring  one 

Whom  fortune  smiles  upon, 
Who  in  the  favored  realm  of  golden  wealth 

In  affluence  was  born  ? 

Why  foolish  act  by  vainly  striving  to 

Abolish   wealth  on   earth, 
By  leaving  understanding's  sunny  vales 

To  sit  by  folly's  hearth? 

Why  foolish  act  by  wishing  ill  to  one 
Whom  mammon  loves  to  please, 

Because,  to  play  the  part  of  gentleman, 
So  well  with  him  agrees? 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  13 


Why  foolish  act  by  hating  one  who  can 

With  affluence  dine  and  sleep, 
When  consequently   you,   some   day,   the  thorns 

Of  misery  may  reap  ? 

NO!     NO!    YES!    YES!    YOU    MUST    HAVE 
MONEY. 

No !  no !  yes !  yes !  you  must  have  money 
To  live  in  style,  to  dine  on  honey; 
For  if  you  want  you're  not  at  all 
More  than  a  beggar  on  the  mall; 
Men  pass  you  by  while  coxcombs  shun, 
And  oft  at  your  expense  make  fun; 
Tho'  you  be  good,  upright  and  true, 
They  nothing  want  with  you  to  do. 

Chorus : 

No !  no !  yes !  yes !  you  must  have  money, 
Tho'  you  be  humble,  proud  or  funny, 
If  you  would  o'er  this  wide  world  roam, 
Or  dwell  with  love  and  peace  at  home. 

No !  no !  yes !  yes !  you  must  have  money 

If  you'd  be  always  bright  and  sunny, 

If  you  would  ever  welcome  be 

At  home  or  in  society ; 

To  win  respect  where'er  you  dwell, 

To  hear  men  say,  "We  wish  you  well!" 

To  be  esteemed  by  those  you  love 

And  courted  like  the  good  above. 

No!  no!  yes!  yes!  you  must  have  money, 
Tho'  you  be  sober,  wise  or  funny; 


14  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

If  you  would  all  your  wants  supply 

Or  your  ambition  satisfy; 

If  you  would  be  a  favorite 

And  shine  among  the  gay  and  bright, 

Say  what  you  may,  do  what  you  will, 

Yes!  yes!  you  must  have  money  still. 

A  BOASTFUL  MILLIONAIRE. 

To-day  I  am  a  millionaire 

Of  whom  the  world  is  proud, 

That  I  believe  will  madly  weep 
When  I  have  donned  the  shroud. 

Where'er  I  go  folks  flatter  me 
And  think  I'm  something  great — 

That  I  should  be  admired — since  I'm 
An  honor  to  the  State. 

I  ask  no  odds  of  any  one, 

But  dine  upon  the  best, 
And  in  a  mansion  fair  to  view 

I  find  a  bower  of  rest. 

My  many  wants  are  all  supplied 
And  pleasure  is  my  friend, 

For  which  I  often  part  with  gold 
And  lend  a  helping  hand. 

Now  I  am  independent,  friends 

Are  multiplying  fast, 
Who  years  ago  refused  to  bow, 

But  by  me  quickly  passed. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  1 5 

Now  I  don't  care  what  people  say, 

Or  what  they  think  of  me — 
And  never  will  while  gold  can  make 

Me  independent  be. 

While  money  is  the  golden  prize 

The  world  is  struggling  for, 
How  often  people  backbite  me 

I  needn't  care  a  straw. 

While  gold  is  thought  more  of  than  brains, 

Admirers  I'll  ne'er  lack, 
So  long  as  I  with  ample  means 

My  interests  can  back. 

The  world  will  bow  and  scrape  and  smile, 

And  love  to  favor  me, 
While  I'm  a  man  of  wealth  and  far 

Removed  from  poverty. 

MISERLY. 

Yes,  yes !  some  call  me  miserly 

Because  I  dread  to  give, 
Or,  possibly,  because  to  save 

I  dare  to  meanly  live. 

I  must  confess  that  I  am  close — 

In  money  matters — mean, 
Or  I  with  littleness,  I'm  sure, 

Would  not  so  oft  be  seen. 

When  one  in  need  on  me  dares  call, 

Then  I  begin  to  shake 
Like  one  removed  half-frozen  from 

Some  icy  Arctic  lake. 


l6  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 


Why  should  I  give  to  aid  the  poor? 

What  have  they  done  for  me? 
I  live  myself  like  one  who  eats 

The  crumbs  of  poverty. 

To  one  who  rather  lose  a  tooth 

Than  to  part  with  a  cent, 
The  needy  never  ought  to  come — 

Not  even  when  they're  sent. 

To  selfishness  I  own  I'm  wed, 

And  hope  I'll  always  be, 
For  I  care  naught  how  oft  the  world 

May  call  me  "miserly." 

Alas!  what  I  am  living  for 

I  own  I  cannot  guess, 
But  it  is  not  because  I  wish 

My  fellow-men  to  bless. 

So,  when  I'm  gone,  the  world  will  say: 

"Another  fool  is  dead," 
And,  for  aught  that  I  know,  'tis  plain 

It  will  have  wisely  said. 

IF  I  AM  PENNYLESS. 

Will  servants   at  my  bidding  come 

Or  think  of  my  welfare, 
Or  of  me  love  to  kindly  speak 

And  for  me  really  care, 

If  I  am  pennyless? 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  17 

Will  my  relations  bow  and  in 

Me  take  an  interest, 
Or,  when  I  choose  to  visit  them, 

Be  called  "an  honored  guest," 

When  I  am  pennyless? 

Will  I  a  member  be  of  clubs 

Where  gold  and  fashion  reign, 
Or  to  the  mansions  of  the  rich 

An  entrance  quickly  gain, 

If  I  am  pennyless? 

Will  I  be  by  the  well-to-do 

Thought  something  of,  at  least, 
Or  in  swell  restaurants  be  seen 

With  millionaires  to  feast, 

If  I  am  pennyless? 

Will  those  I  love  and  venerate 

Be  not  ashamed  of  me, 
Or  wish  that  time  would  faster  fly 

When  in  my  company, 

If  I  am  pennyless? 

Will  I,  however  talented, 

Be  flattered  by  the  proud, 
Who  seem  to  overlook  the  fact 

That  they  must  don  a  shroud, 

If  I  am  pennyless? 

Will  I  be  held  in  high  esteem 

By  those  who  worship  gold, 
Or  must  I  live  like  homeless  tramps 

And  dine  out  in  the  cold, 

If  I  am  pennyless? 


l8  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

WHAT  MAMMON'S  POWER  CAN  DO. 

Mammon  can  make  it  possible 

For  fools  to  honored  be, 
And  cause  those  who  from  justice  stray 

To  practise  bribery. 

It  can  cause  weak  and  shallow  minds 

To  sneer  at  one  in  need, 
And  often  overwork  the  poor 

To  please  the  love  of  greed. 

To  act  abusively,  it  can 

Force  cold  and  stony  hearts, 

Ay,  on  the  stage  of  life  to  play 
Unjust  and  foolish  parts. 

Many  who  fail  to  wisely  live 

It  can  bankrupt  and  curse, 
And  play  a  tyrant's  part  with  one 

Who  has  an  empty  purse. 

| 

It  can  set  men  upon  their  feet 

Who  dine  with  poverty, 
And  cause  them  to  exchange  poor  cots 

For  mansions   fair  to  see. 


E'en  nations  it  can  influence 
And  rulers  basely  bribe, 

And  often  twist  the  law  to  please 
Those  on  injustice'  side. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  1 9 

THE  YOUNG  ACT  WISELY  WHEN. 

The  young  act  wisely  when  they  do 

Not  live  for  empty  show, 
But  in  the  fields  of  usefulness 

The  seeds  of  wisdom  sow. 

The  young  do  wisely  act  when  they 

Dare  not  bow  down  to  gold, 
When  they  have  no  desire  to  be 

One  of  oppression's  fold. 

The  young  act  wisely  when  they  judge 

By  character — not  wealth — 
When  they  think  more,  ay,  than  of  gold, 

Of  a  good  name  and  health. 

The  young  act  wisely  when  they  do 

Not  care  or  long  to  hoard, 
Or  bow  to  greed  or  reckless  act, 

To  be  by  folly  gored. 

WHILE  YOU  WITH  WEALTH  CAN  DINE. 

The  good  things  of  this  life  are  yours 

While  you   with  wealth  can  dine, 
No  matter  where  you  choose  to  dwell, 

In  cots  or  mansions  fine ; 
You  can  with  those  who  pleasure  woo 

Know  how  a  good  time  seems, 
And  tour,   lo,  to  your   heart's  content, 

While  you  have  ample  means. 

If  you  have  a  contented  mind 
And  are  from  sickness  free, 


2O  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

And  distant  roam  unwelcome  cares 

With  cold  adversity; 
You  can  with  happiness  abide 

And  fool  your  time  away, 
And  recreation  find  among 

The  idle  and  the  gay. 

Enjoyments  many  may  be  yours, 

And  honors  not  a  few ; 
And  if  you  good-behavior  court 

You'll  be  respected,  too; 
For  what  like  money  can  make  one 

So  many  friends  possess? 
Or  give  so  many  worldly  gifts 

To  comfort,  cheer  and  bless? 

While  gold  is  plentiful  with  you 

And  you  .uprightly  live, 
You  can  those  envied  blessings  share 

That  only  wealth  can  give; 
And  never  be   looked   down  upon 

Like  those  who  want  have  been, 
But  in  high-toned  society 

With  millionaires  be  seen. 

A  FRIEND  TO  MONEY  BE. 

If   you    would    walk    in    wisdom's    paths 

And  with  good-sense   reside, 
You'll  never  basely  hoard  your  gold 

Or  with  a   spendthrift  side; 
But  how   and  when  you  spend  it  you 

Will  always  careful  be, 
If  you  the  blessings   long  to  share 

Of  rich  prosperity. 


MAMMON   IN   VERSELAND  21 

A  friend  to  money  you  will  be, 

So  long  as  you  believe 
In  acting  well  your  part,  and  you 

Are  not  inclined  to  leave 
Discretion's  company  for  one 

Who  fires  his  scrip  away — 
That  like  a  fool  but  rarely  asks, 

"Does  wasting  money  pay?" 

However  large  your  income  be, 

Refuse  to  squander  it, 
Or  to  be  seen  in  honor's  courts 

You  are,  indeed,  unfit; 
For  when  you  throw  your  gold  away 

You   part  with  a  good   friend, 
That  can  in  trying  times  to  you 

A  helping  hand  soon  lend. 

Wherever  you  may  dwell  or  roam, 

A  friend  to  money  be, 
While  cheerful  plenty  you  prefer 

To  friendless  poverty; 
While  you  aspire  to  prosperous  be 

And  with  the  thrifty  side, 
And  never  lightly  speak  of  gold 

Or  mammon's  power  deride. 

WHAT  MAMMON  CANNOT  DO. 

Gold  never  can  make  you  beloved, 

Or  sorrow  from  you  keep — 
However  large  your  fortune  be — 

Tho'   you    should   millions   reap. 


22  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

It  cannot  soften  a  hard  heart 

Or  make  men  nobly  live, 
Or  force  you  for  the  cause  of  truth 
9  Your  time  and  means  to  give. 

It  cannot  make  you  follow  in 
The  steps  that  Jesus  trod, 

Or  force  an  unbelieving  mind 
To  humbly  worship  God. 

It  cannot  make  you  honest  act, 

Or  force  one  to  love  you, 
Whom  you  admire,  nor  to  fair  play 

Compel  you  to  be  true. 

When  death  draws  nigh  it  fails  to  save 
E'en  those  you  love  the  best, 

And  helpless  seems  when  they  beneath 
The  sod  are  laid  to  rest. 

So  wise  are  they  who  do  not  say 

That  money's  "all  in  all," 
Who  at  the  feet  of  mammon  do 

Not  wish  too  oft  to  fall. 

QUARTRAIN. 

Don't  meanly  act  for  mammon's  sake^ 

Whoever  you  may  be, 
But  say:  "I'd  rather  be  a  man 

Than  to  act  miserly." 

TIMELY  COUPLETS. 

Wealth  ne'er  oppresses  when  'tis  in 
The  hands  of  those  who  dread  to  sin. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  23 

O  envy  not  the  rich  while  you 
To  sense  and  justice  would  be  true! 

Who  slurs  the  well-to-do  may  be 
Lo!  one  who  ain't  from  folly  free. 

One  can  be  rich  and  not  be  mean, 

And  with  unfairness  ne'er  be  seen. 

•  t 

Love  to  instruct  as  well  as  entertain, 

If  you  would  wisdom's  approbation  gain. 

A  gentleman  is  not  puffed  up  by  gold, 
Since  he  of  sense  will  not  leave  go  his  hold. 

Gold  can  make  shallow  minds  like  idiots  act, 
Like  one  devoid  of  gumption,  sense  and  tact. 

Think  more  of  character,  ay!  than  of  gold, 
If  you  desire  to  join  uprightness'  fold. 

With  bribery  see  that  you  have  naught  to  do, 
And  daily  with  the  truth  your  vows  renew. 

No  man  of  honor  is  a  friend  to  graft, 
But  many  a  fool  who  floats  on  folly's  raft. 

Never  abuse  old  friends  for  gold, 
Like  one  who  has  his  conscience  sold. 

Shun  those  who  at  fair  dealing  grin, 
While  you  would  be  a  foe  to  sin. 

You  can  afford  to  be  to  graft  a  foe, 
And  base  corruption's  seeds  ne'er  sow. 


24  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

ILL-GOTTEN  WEALTH. 

Dishonest  methods  never  use 

Or  smile  on  ill-got  gain, 
Lest  you,  alas !  some  hapless  day 

Your  character  should  stain ; 
While  in  the  paths  of  righteousness 

You  wish  to  daily  tread, 
And  to  what  can  upbuild  and  bless, 

You  would  life's  prospects  wed. 

Merely  to  please  the  love  of  gain, 

Refuse  to  steal  or  cheat, 
While  honor  and  fair  play  you  prize 

And  justice  love  to  greet; 
Lest  you  within  some  prison  walls 

A  jail-bird  some  day  be, 
And  when  too  late  you  sigh  in  vain 

For  peace  and  liberty. 

While  you  a  conscience  clear  can  boast 

And  an  unsullied  name, 
You'll  ne'er,  to  please  ill-gotten  wealth, 

Your  sense  of  honor  shame; 
Tho'  you  with  poverty  must  dine 

And  with  pale  want  reside, 
You'll  not  allow  dishonesty 

To  be  your  boss  and  guide. 

So  to  fair  dealing  be  a  friend 

Where'er  you  roam  or  dwell, 
And  see  that  all  your  acts  and  words 

For  worth  and  justice  tell; 
Then  on  the  safe  side  you'll  be  found 

With  those  who  fairly  deal, 
Who  frown  on  under-handedness, 

And  safely  guard  their  weal. 


MAMMON   IN   VERSELAND  2$ 

LAUGHING  AT  CHARITY. 

Do  not  expect  too  much  of  one 

Who  laughs  at  charity — 
Wherever  he  may  roam  or  dwell, 

Wherever  he  may  be; 
For  he  cannot  with  goodness  walk 

Or  live  as  justice  would, 
Who  heartlessly  can  sneer  at  one 

That  labors  to  do  good. 

Tho'  in  a  mansion  he  resides, 

And  fortune  is  his  friend, 
While  he  to  the  unfortunate 

A  hand  will  never  lend; 
Tho'  in  a  garret  he  abides 

And  hungry  often  feels, 
And  with  his  fellow-men  he  swears 

He  always  fairly  deals. 

On  a  low  plane  he  must  abide 

And  a  small  soul  possess, 
And  rarely  be  afraid  to  stray 

From  worth  and  righteousness; 
And  in  the  dirt  of  meanness  plays 
An  undeserving  part — 
For  he,  alas !  can  justly  claim 
A  cold  and  callous  heart. 

No  monument  to  him  the  world 

Will  ever  rear,  or  shed 
A  tear,  as  it  would  for  the  good, 

When  he  is  cold  and  dead ; 
Since  he  deserves  to  be  forgot 

Who  worships  selfishness, 
And,  like  a  fool,  is  wont  to  laugh 

At  those  who  cheer  and  bless. 


26  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

THE  MIGHTY  DOLLAR. 

The  mighty  dollar  I  have  found 

To  be  man's  surest  friend  in  need, 
When  human  friends  have  proved  untrue 

A  never-failing  boon,  indeed ; 
When  old  acquaintances  deceive 

And  those  I  love  at  me  do  stare, 
It  never  fails  to  solace  me, 

At  home,  abroad,  ay!  everywhere. 

To  man's  most  trusted  earthly  friend, 
When  sick  and  sore  on  beds  of  pain, 

For  nurses  kind  and  treatment  fair 
,      I've  never,  never  sought  in  vain;  t 

Wherever  I  have  roamed  or  dwelt 
I've  found  in  it  a  faithful  friend, 

In  cold  misfortune's  darkest  hours, 
Ready  a  helping  hand  to  lend. 

For  me,  man's  surest  earthly  friend 

Has  never  failed  to  win  respect, 
So  long  as  I  have  justly  lived, 

Tho'  plainly  or  tho'  gaily  decked ; 
In  fashion's  halls  or  on  the  green, 

The  world  has  firmly  stood  by  me, 
And  oft  my  friendship  kindly  sought 

Since  I've  from  poverty  been  free. 

When  want  and  trouble  dragged  me  down, 
Man's  surest  friend  soon  rescued  me, 

When  I  had  naught,  a  fortune  gave, 
Which  freed  me  from  adversity ; 

So  I  shall  ne'er  forget  this  friend 


MAMMON   IN   VERSELAND  27 

Or  cease  to  prize,  where'er  I  live, 
The  countless  blessings  it  bestows, 
That  gold  and  only  gold  can  give. 

NOW  I  DON'T  HAVE  TO  HANG  MY  HEAD. 

Now  I  don't  have  to  hang  my  head, 

As  I  did  long  ago, 
When  seeds  of  want  and  poverty 

It  was  my  lot  to  sow; 
For  now  I  live  in  a  fine  house 

And  plenty  smiles  at  me, 
And  those  I  love  feel  quite  at  home, 

Lo !  in  my  company. 

. 

Now  I  don't  have  to  hang  my  head, 

For  fortune  is  my  friend, 
Who- gladly  any  time  for  me 

A  helping  hand  would  lend ; 
For  I  no  odds  of  others  ask, 

But  independent  be,  » 
So  why-  should  I  look  sheepish  when 

I   dine   with   luxury? 

Now  I  don't  have  to  hang  my  head, 

For  I  am  looked  up  to, 
No  matter  where  I  roam  or  dwell, 

Whatever  I  may  do; 
For  since  a  fortune  fell  to  me 

I'm  welcome  everywhere —     » 
At  least  where'er  I  choose  to  call, 

Now  I  so  richly  fare. 


28  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

While  money  is  a  friend  that  can 

A  human  being  bless; 
And  while  my  bank  account  is  large 

And  friends  about  me  flock, 
I'll  look  my  neighbors  in  the  face 

And  stand  as  firm's  a  rock. 

IF  PRINCIPLE  IN  PLACE  OF  MONEY  RULED. 

If  principle  in  place  of  money  ruled, 

Alas!  what  startling  changes  men  would  see, 
How  many  now  who  in  fair  mansions  dwell 

Would  quickly  fall  upon  the  bended  knee. 
If  fortune  never  smiled  but  on  the  just, 

And  life's  good  things  could  ne'er  be  purchased  by 
The  godless  workers  of  iniquity, 

Who  fortunes  often  gain  thro'  methods  sly! 

If  only  to  the  good  wealth  chose  to  bow, 

To  those  who  follow  after  righteousness, 
How  many  now  would  leave  their  palace  homes 

Who  live  like  kings  and  elegantly  dress; 
How  many  now  who  sleep  in  unmarked  graves 

Would  honored  be  with  monuments  sublime, 
If  principle  in  place  of  money  ruled 

In  this  wide  world  so  full  of  guilt  and  crime! 

How  many  now  would  hang  their  heads  for  shame 

If  only  character  would  diamonds  buy, 
If  justice  only  fame  and  honor  won, 

Who  carry  now  their  haughty  heads  so  high ; 
If  only  worth  and  strict  integrity 

Would  affluence  and  earthly  treasure  win, 
If  at  the  righteous  only  gold  would  smile 

And  never  on  the  followers  of  sin ! 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  29 

QUARTRAIN. 

Not  all  whom  fortune  favors  most 

Are  fond  of  doing  good, 
Or  long  to  play  a  noble  part 

In  life,  as  goodness  would. 

NOT  FOR  MONEY. 

For  money,  never  dare  to  steal 

While  justice  you  revere, 
And  honesty  and  righteousness 

To  you  seem  fondly  dear; 
Tho'  want  should  stare  you  in  the  face, 

Be  honest  night  and  day, 
E'en  when  the  pangs  of  hunger  gnaw — 

Remember,  it  will  pay. 

For  money,  never  falsify 

While  truth  to  you  seems  dear, 
Whilst  right  and  honor  you  esteem 

And  to  act  meanly,  fear; 
While  you  abhor  deceitfulness 

And  by  fair-dealing  stand, 
And  you  can  justly  say  that  you 

Belong  to  frankness'  band. 

For  money,  ne'er  a  fellow-man 

E'en  wish  or  dare  to  slay, 
So  long  as  you  would  wisely  live 

And   with  the   upright  stay ; 
While  needlessly  you  do  not  wish 

A  good  name  to  disgrace, 
And  base  temptations  any  time 

Are  not  afraid  to  face. 


3O  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

For  money,  never  mar  your  name 

Or  awful  deeds  commit, 
So  long  as  you  in  goodness'  courts 

Be  one  who  loves  to  sit; 
While  you  in  nobleness  believe 

And  that  right-living  pays, 
And  you  the  good  would  gladly  crown- 

With  honor's  cherished  bays. 

For  money,  never  proudly  act 

Or  put  on  silly  airs, 
Nor  look  down  on  a  fellow-man 

Who  faded  garments  wears; 
So  long  as  you  would  nobly  act 
And  with  good-sense  abide, 
While  you  with  what  pertains  to  gold 

Would  with  uprightness  side. 

THE  MAN  OF  MEANS. 

Who  is  so  welcome  anywhere 
That  men  are  wont  to  stray, 
Or  looked  up  to  so  oft — of  whom 
Folks  have  so  much  to  say, 
Ay!  as  the  man  of  means? 

In  cities  or  in  country  towns, 

Wherever  you  may  be, 
At  home,  or  far  away,  who  do 
Men  love  so  well  to  see 
Ay!  as  the  man  of  means? 

Even  in  church  and  Sunday-school, 
Who  can  you  hope  to  find 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  3! 

Whose  presence  is  so  much  desired, 
Tho'  homespun  or  refined, 
Ay!  as  the  man  of  means? 

In  good  society  to-day, 

Who  is  so  entertained, 
Or  talked  so  pleasantly  about 
As  those  who've  fortunes  gained, 
Ay!  as  the  man  of  means? 

Who  is  so  envied  now,  when  gold 
Is  thought  more  of  than  God, 

By  those  who  flatter  fortune's  sons 
And  to  the  prosperous  nod, 
Ay!  as  the  man  of  means? 

Who  can  so  much  of  pleasure  see, 

Or  be  so  oft  admired 

By  those  who  in  the  company 

Of  wealth  are  never  tired, 

Ay!  as  the  man  of  means? 

Who  can  so  independent  feel, 

Or  hold  the  head  so  high, 
Or  boast  so  many  anxious  heirs 

Who  long  to  have  him  die, 

Ay!  as  the  man  of  means? 

JUDGE  BY  CHARACTER  AND  NOT  BY  GOLD. 

If  you  would  please  the  wise  and  good 

And  far  from  folly  stray, 
And  on  the  stage  of  life  a  part 

Worth  acting  nobly  play, 
Then  judge  by  character  and  not  by  gold. 


32  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

If  you  would  sense  and  reason  please 

And  nobleness  applaud, 
And  never,  never  wish  to  be 

Where  error  oft  has  trod, 
Then  judge  by  character  and  not  by  gold. 

If  you  would  righteousness  uphold 

And  in  fair  play  believe, 
And  thro'  your  foolish  actions  ne'er 

The  heart  of  honor  grieve, 
Then  judge  by  character  and  not  by  gold. 

If  you  dread  to  misjudge  a  friend, 

Or  would  the  good  will  gain 
Of  those  who  can  act  sensibly 

And  not  their  honor  stain, 
/Then  judge  by  character  and  not  by  gold. 

If  you  would  not  unfairly  act 

Or  wrongfully  accuse, 
Or  needlessly  the  poor  ill-treat, 

Or  decency  abuse, 
Then  judge  by  character  and  not  by  gold. 

If  you  with  Jesus  long  to  walk, 

And  on  injustice  frown, 
And  in  an  under-handed  way 

Would  ne'er  a  brother  down, 
Then  judge  by  character  and  not  by  gold. 

If  you  would  act  impartially 

And  none  desire  to  wrong, 
And  to  the  order  of  fair  play 

Wish  always  to  belong, 
Then  judge  by  character  and  not  by  gold. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  33 

WHILE  MANY  THOUSANDS  YOU  POSSESS. 

You  never  will  be  called  a  "tramp" 

Or  a  "poor,  worthless  thing," 
By  those,  alas !  who  judge  by  gold 

Or  songs  of  penury  sing, 
While  many  thousands  you  possess. 

You  never  will  be  forced  to  beg 

Or  hunger  often  feel, 
But  rather  with  the  well-to-do 

At  plenty's  altars  kneel, 
While  many  thousands  you  possess. 

Want  never  will  discourage  you 

Or  make  life  drearier  seem, 
Or  in  the  stilly  hours  of  night 

Bid  you  of  misery  dream, 
While  many  thousands  you  possess. 

Then  you'll  be  thought  more  of  than  one 

That  want  compels  to  beg, 
Who  in  the  shoes  of  poverty 

Knows  how  to  drive  a  peg, 
While  many  thousands  you  possess. 

However  just  and  good  one  be — 

'Tis  sad  to  say,  yet  true — 
If  he  is  poor  or  oft  in  want, 

The  world  will  prefer  you, 
While  many  thousands  you  possess. 

For  gold  is  the  "great  thing"  to-day 

That  mankind  love  so  well, 
So  you  will  rarely  want  for  friends 

Wherever  you  may  dwell, 
While  many  thousands  you  possess. 


34  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

THE  SLAVE  TO  SELFISHNESS. 

I  never  give  away  my  gold, 

Or  do  a  generous  deed 
To  benefit  a  fellow-man, 

Or  aid  a  friend  in  need ; 
So,  while  I  live  for  "number  one," 

Why  should  I  kindly  act 
While  I  had  rather  hoard  than  give 

And  I'm  by  meanness  backed? 

By  gosh!  the  brotherhood  of  man 

I  care  no  more  about 
Than  misers  do  of  those  in  need — 

There's  not  the  slightest  doubt; 
To  benefit  another,  why 

Should  I  give  gold  away, 
That  I  have  labored  hard  to  earn 

My  needful  bills  to  pay? 

Of  others'  weal  I  seldom  think 

Or  how  they  daily  fare, 
Because,  I'm  willing  to  confess, 

For  them  I  never  care; 
For  I  am  wed  to  selfishness, 

And  live  for  self  alone, 
Possessing  an  unfeeling  heart, 

As  cold  as  any  stone. 

When  I  am  dead  and  gone,  the  world 

Will  not  feel  very  bad, 
I  guess,  but  those  who  labor  to 

Do  good  ought  to  be  glad; 
For  why  should  others  madly  weep, 

Or  deeply  feel  for  me, 
Who  in  a  selfish  life  believed 

And  frowned  on  charity? 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  35 

WHILE  MONEY  IS  MY  FRIEND. 

I  can  afford  to  happy  feel — 

And   I   confess   I   do — 
Now  health  and  cheerfulness  are  mine, 

And  I'm  to  goodness  true, 

While  money  is  my  friend. 

Acquaintances  to  me   bow  low 

And  love  to  sweetly  smile, 
And  never  lose  a  chance  with  me 

A  leisure  hour  to  while, 

While  money  is  my  friend. 

Now  those  I  long  have  known,  delight 

To  quickly  notice  me, 
And  never  fail,  no  matter  where, 

To  treat  me  civily, 

While  money  is  my  friend. 

Now  I  can  dine,  lo,  on  the  best, 

I'm  welcome  everywhere, 
For  I  can  well  afford — I'm  sure — 

To  sumptuously  fare, 

While  money  is  my  friend. 

Now  I  can  fashionably  dress 

And  live  in  mansions  fine, 
And  with  the  rich  and  prosperous 

At   luxury's   tables  dine, 

While  money  is  my  friend. 

By  want  I'll  never  be  annoyed, 
But  luxury  will  cheer 


36  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

And  beautify  my  home,  and  make 
It  seem  to  me  more  dear, 
While  money  is  my  friend. 

Do  what  I  will,  talk  as  I  wish, 

I  can  hold  high  my  head, 
And  blessings  numberless  enjoy 

And  be  to  plenty  wed, 

While  money  is  my  friend. 

WHAT  MAKES  YOU  PUT  ON  AIRS? 

[A  Dialogue.] 

Sam — What  makes  you  put  on  airs  and  strut 
Like  one  who  walks  in  folly's  rut? 

Bill — Because  with  gold  I'm  well  supplied, 
And  I  with  plenty  now  reside. 

Sam — What  makes  you  hold  your  head  so  high 
When  on  the  street  you  pass  me  by? 

Bill — Because  a  fortune  fell  to  me 

When  you  was  whaling  on  the  sea. 

Sam — We  used  to  be  good  friends,  you  know, 
Tho'  I  had  a  hard  row  to  hoe. 

Bill — There  is  a  line  between  us  now — 
A  line  to  which  the  wealthy  bow. 

Sam — Not  every  one  gold  can  puff  up, 
For  some  with  wisdom  love  to  sup. 

Bill — Alas !  to  please  the  world  to-day, 

Those  who  have  gold  must  court  display. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  37 

Sam — Better  to  act  as  wisdom  would, 

And  to  your  fellow-men  do  good. 

Bill — I'm  selfishly  inclined,  you  know, 
So  kindness'  seeds  I  dread  to  sow. 

Sam — You  need  not  put  on  airs  to  please 
The  vain  or  fall  down  on  your  knees. 

Bill — I  rather  show  off  than  to  live 

As  goodness  would  and  freely  give. 

Sam — You  can  old  friends  treat  civilly, 

And  from  the  haunts  of  meanness  flee. 

Bill — Above  the  poor  I  feel  to-day, 

Now  I  from  want  am  far  away. 

Sam — What  can  you  gain  by  acting  so? 
I  fail  to  see — I'd  like  to  know? 

Bill — Lo!  by  the  slaves  to  gold,  I'll  be 
More  highly  spoken  of — you  see. 

NO  GREAT  LOSS. 

In  Westmoreland,  there  used  to  live 

A  funny  kind  of  man, 
Who  loved  to  haggle  o'er  a  cent, 

As  none  but  misers  can. 

A  man  who  dearly  loved  to  hoard 

And  play  the  miser's  part; 
For  he,  alas!  'tis  sad  to  say — 

Possessed  a  stony  heart. 


38  MAMMON   IN    VERSELAND 

He  was  a  Reuben  widely  known — 

And  one  but  few  esteemed — 
His  mind  with  tricks  and  schemes  to  save, 

Alas!  so  thickly  teemed. 

Gold  was  the  idol  of  his  heart — 

The  only  friend  he  had — 
So  when  he  had  a  bill  to  pay 

It  made  him  very  mad. 

One  stormy  night  to  his  abode, 

A  heartless  robber  came, 
When  he  was  fast  asleep — for  he 

Was  there,  of  course,  for  game.  . 

When  he'd  at  length  an  entrance  gained 

And  stood  close  by  his  bed, 
Rube  suddenly  awoke — and  then, 

Alas!  from  fright  fell  dead. 

No  flags  were  flying  at  half-mast — 

And  why,  alas!  should  they, 
When  he  would  like  a  bull-dog  growl 

When  he'd  a  bill  to  pay? 

Now  what  do  people  say  who  knew 

That  he  was  ne'er  so  cross 
As  when  he  had  to  spend  a  cent — 

"His  death  was  no  great  loss." 

GOLD  DREW  THE  LINE. 

Between  the  rich  and  poor  gold  drew  the  line 

That's  never  been  erased, 
And  in  the  realm  of  wealth  e'en  stands  by  those 

Who  have  their  names  disgraced. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  39 

Only  the  gifted  have  this  line  o'erleapt, 

When  bright  their  talents  shone; 
When  they  illustrious  names  could  boast — well-known 

In  every  clime  and  zone. 

While  fools  believe  that  money  makes  a  man, 

This  line  must  still  remain, 
And  he  who  may  think  otherwise,  to  see 

A  change,  will  hope  in  vain. 

Till  mankind  on  a  higher  plane  shall  dwell, 

Who  can  this  line  erase, 
While  pride  and  vanity  and  thirst  for  gold 

Cling  to  the  human  race? 

IN  THE  MAD  RUSH  FOR  GOLD. 

In  this  enlightened  age  of  ours, 
'     How  oft  in  pain  we  read 
Of  sad  and  touching  scenes — which  make 

The  heart  of  justice  bleed — 
Upon  the  battle-fields  of  life, 

So  pitiless  and  cold, 
Where  oft  we  find  a  brother  slain 

In  the  mad  rush  for  gold ! 

In  this  commercial  age  of  greed, 
What  sights  now  meet  our  gaze! 

What  spectacles  so  sad  to  view 
In  these  progressive  days, 

When  men  and  women,  stricken  down, 
Are  left  out  in  the  cold 

By  some  whom  fortune  smiles  upon 

In  the  mad  rush  for  gold! 


4O  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAtfD 

When  men  think  more  of  gold  than  God, 

Injustice  brighter  blooms, 
While  in  the  church-yards  of  the  land 

More  numerous  grow  the  tombs ; 
When  men  for  earthly  riches  fight 

And  daily  grow  more  bold, 
Why  wonder  that  the  weak  are  slain 

In  the  mad  rush  for  gold! 

While  gold  is  worshiped  night  and  day 

By  those  who  love  success, 
By  one  who  dreams  of  mansions  fair, 

Of  luxury  and  dress ; 
Why  wonder,  friends  of  truth  and  right, 

'Cause  many  a  conscience's  sold, 
'Cause  many  a  life  is  sacrificed 

In  the  mad  rush  for  gold ! 

SPEND  MONEY  WISELY. 

Spend  money  wisely,  if  you  wish 

To  do  as  wisdom  would, 
While  you  desire  to  daily  tread 

The  paths  trod  by  the  good. 

Spend  money  wisely,  if  you  would 

Not  play  the  part  of  fool, 
While  you,  alas!  would  not  belong 
To  penury's  ragged  school. 

Spend  money  wisely,  if  you  would 

Some  day  be  well-to-do, 
If  you  to  wise  discretion  would 

Be  always  just  and  true. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  4! 

Spend  money  wisely,  while  you  dread 

To  sup  with  poverty, 
While  you  with  want  and  recklessness 

Have  no  desire  to  be. 

Spend  money  wisely,  while  you  know 

It  is  a  friend,  indeed, 
While  you  see  what  it  can  do  for 

One  in  the  hour  of  need. 

Spend  money  wisely,  lest  you  lose 

What  none  can  do  without, 
And,  at  those  who  must  saving  be, 

Refuse  to  grin  or  pout. 

Spend  money  wisely,  if  you  would 

Be  one  who  looks  ahead, 
While  you  are  one  who  ponders  what 

Has  been  by  wisdom  said. 

Spend  money  wisely,  lest  you  reap 

The  ills  of  recklessness, 
Or  plenty  and  prosperity 

Your  lot  may  never  bless. 

REFUSE  TO  ACT  DISHONESTLY. 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly, 

However  poor  you  be, 
Tho'  you  be  forced  to  dwell  with  want 

And  sup  with  poverty. 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly, 

In  order  to  win  gold, 
While  you  would  be  of  those  who  feel 
At  home  in  justice'  fold. 


42  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

« 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly 
While  honor  you  revere, 

So  long  as  what  ennobles  man 
To  you  seems  doubly  dear. 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly 
While  punishment  you  dread, 

And  with  the  upright  and  the  good 
You  love  to  daily  tread. 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly 

While  mother's  name  you  love, 

And  meanness'  under-handed  ways 
Are  wont  to  feel  above. 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly, 

Lest  you  your  good  name  crock, 

If  you  would  out  of  trouble  keep 
And  not  right-living  shock. 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly 
Because  you  would  be  rich, 

And  never  'low  your  love  of  gold 
Your  conscience  to  bewitch. 

Refuse  to  act  dishonestly, 
And  never  wish  to  steal, 

But  at  the  shrine  of  righteousness 
Be  seen  to  daily  kneel. 

ONE  MAY  BE  RICH. 

One  may  be  rich  and  harbor  pride, 
And  look  down  on  the  poor, 

When  his  unfeeling  heart  is  foul's 
A  city's  slimy  sewer. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  43 

One  may  be  rich  and  meanly  grin  • 

At  the  unfortunate, 
And  oft,  alas !  be  seen  to  knock 

At  meanness'  dingy  gate. 

One  may  be  rich  and  know  how  to 

The  part  of  tyrant  play, 
And  from  the  paths  of  righteousness 

Be  prone  to  widely  stray. 

One  may  be  rich  and  worship  greed, 

And  miserly  become, 
And  rarely  wish  to  music  make 

On  kindness'  cheery  drum. 

One  may  be  rich  and  fail  to  be 

Esteemed  and  honored  by 
Those  who  uprightly  walk  in  life — 

That  to  live  nobly  try. 

One  may  be  rich  and  oft  oppress 

Those  whom  they  ought  to  aid, 
And  play  an  under-handed  part, 

Lo!  in  the  marts  of  trade. 

THE  GOLD-STRUCK  MAN. 

The  gold-struck  man  thinks  more  of  gold 

Than  of  aught  else  on  earth, 
Because,  alas !  it  seems  to  him 

Of  such  intrinsic  worth; 
No  matter  where  he  roves  or  dwells 

He  loves  to  think  of  it, 
And  hopes  'twill  be  his  lot  some  day 

With  millionaires  to  sit. 


44  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

The  gold-struck  man  can  loudly  talk 

When  money  is  the  theme, 
And  when  'twill  boom  his  interests 

He  even  dares  to  scream; 
For  he  will  not  deny  that  gold 

Seems  precious  to  his  heart, 
That  he  is  never  pleased  when  from 

It  he  is  forced  to  part. 

The  gold-struck  man  dost  sweetest  smile 

When  money  he  is  making, 
When  large  amounts — 'tis  noised  about — 

That  he  is  daily  taking; 
For  he  was  taught  in  early  youth 

That  money  is  the  prize 
Which  one  must  win  if  he  desires 

Some  day  in  life  to  rise. 

The  gold-struck  man  thinks  less  of  one 

Who  has  no  faculty 
For  coining  gold,  and  who  from  want 

Is  rarely  ever  free; 
But  loudly  lauds  those  who  know  how 

To  dollars  quickly  make — 
Since  to  naught  else  on  mother   earth 

Is  he  so  wide  awake. 

The  gold-struck  man  gets  all  he  can 

And  growls  when  asked  to  give, 
Because,  on  a  low  plane  for  gold, 

He's  not  ashamed  to  live; 
So  thus  it  is,  and  ever'll  be, 

While  he  dares  idolize 
What  perishes,  and  ignores  God, 

Whom  he  should  higher  prize. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  45 

A  MAMMON  DIALOGUE. 

Churchill — O  Reuben !  don't  you  wish  that  you 

From  want  was  wholly  free, 
So  you  might  dine  upon  the  best 

And  dress  in  style  like  me? 
Since  fortune  on  me  wealth  bestowed 

I  live  like  a  proud  king, 
And  do  about's  I  please,  and  feel 

As  bright's  a  bird  in  spring. 
Reuben — No,  no!  I  much  prefer  to  simply  live 

And  to  act  sensibly, 
Than  to  seem  like  a  butterfly, 

Tho'  want  should  bother  me. 
Not  all  are  rich — some  will  be  poor — 

So  I'll  not  hang  my  head, 
E'en  tho'  necessity  should  make 

Me  beg  a  loaf  of  bread. 
Churchill — What  can  like  money  puff  one  up, 

Or  make  him  prouder  feel? 
So  don't  blame  me  because  I  choose 

With  vanity  to  kneel ; 
Because  the  seeds  of  foolishness 

I  am  inclined  to  sow, 
E'en  if  I  spend  my  gold  to  please 

The  love  of  useless  show. 
Reuben — What  do  you  care  for  me?     So  what 

I  think  or  dare  to  say 
Would  soon  forgotten  be  by  those 

Who  with  the  haughty  stray ; 
For  those  who  great  possessions  own 

Upon  the  poor  look  down, 
And,  in  the  pools  of  selfishness 

Their  nobler  natures  drown. 


46  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

WHEN  I  RETURNED  A  MILLIONAIRE. 

Where  I  in  childhood  used  to  play 
And  flowers  bloomed  so  bright  and  gay, 
In  a  fair  village,  de9r  to  me, 
Where  I  in  childhood  loved  to  be; 
Oh!  what  a  welcome  I  received — 
That  pleased  me  like  a  hawthorn,  leaved, 
When  I  returned  a  millionaire. 

How  those  who  once  had  slighted  me 
And  often  shunned  my  company, 
When  in  a  humble  cot  I  dwelt 
And  I  sometimes  with  penury  knelt. 
Did  shake  my  hands  and  sweetly  smile 
And  with  me  loved  the  time  to  while, 
When  I  returned  a  millionaire. 

Of  come  account  they  thought  me  then — 

A  prize  among  the  "upper  ten" — 

For  there  was  naught  too  good  for  me 

And  none  who  shunned  my  company, 

As  I  was  then  a  favorite 

With  whom  the  proudest  strove  to  sit, 

When  I  returned  a  millionaire. 

They  could  not  do  enough  for  me, 

Or  seek  too  oft  my  company, 

For  they  had  never  dreamed  that  I 

Up  mammon's  mount  would  climb  so  high  ; 

So  they  were  pleased  to  show  me  how 

They  could  to  wealth  politely  bow, 

When  I  returned  a  millionaire. 

I  never  can  too  grateful  feel 

To  those  who  catered  to  my  weal, 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  47 

When  in  the  ville  my  boyhood  knew 
Again  its  vales  I  wandered  through ; 
Dining  once  more  with  friends  of  old 
Who  loved  to  brag  about  my  gold, 
When  I  returned  a  millionaire. 

WHEN  WEALTHY  I  BECAME. 

When  wealthy  I  became,  the  world 

Was  pleased  to  notice  me, 
And  sweetly  smiled  as  cheery  babes 

In  tender  infancy. 

Acquaintances  who  passed  me  by 

When  I  was  poor  in  gold, 
Politely  bowed,  as  I,  at  last, 

Was  one  of  fortune's  fold. 

Then  I  was  looked  up  to  by  those 

Who  shunned  my  company 
When  I  among  the  needy  dwelt 

And  dined  with  poverty. 

Then  friends  began  to  multiply, 

To  love  and  flatter  me, 
To  wish  me  well  and  hope  my  days 

From  trouble  would  be  free. 

When  I  owned  a  fine  residence 

And  could  in  style  appear, 
Then  some,  who  used  to  grin,  e'en  dared 

To  call  me  "Lucky  Dear." 

Of  some  account  I  then  was  thought, 

For  mammon  was  my  friend, 
Who  could — and  promptly  did — to  me 

Gold's  richest  blessings  bring, 


48  MAMMON   IN   VERSELAND 


Life's  good  things  then  I  did  enjoy, 
And  oft  with  sunshine  strayed, 

And  in  my  "coach-and-four"  rode  by 
Where  I  in  childhood  played. 

For  what  like  mammon's  shining  gold 

Can  set  one  on  his   feet, 
Or  makes  him  quicker  noticed  be 

By  those  he  loves  to  greet? 

A  BACK  NUMBER. 

Yes!  a  "back  number"  you'll  be  called — 

No  matter  where  you  dwell — 
If  what  you  aim  to  do  in  life 

Doth  not  for  mammon  tell ; 
If  in  the  busy  marts  of  trade 

To  make  a  mark  you  fail, 
If  you  are  forced  to  advertise 

Your  store  and  stock  for  sale. 

Yes!  a  "back  number"  you'll  be  called 

If  you  no  knack  possess 
For  making  money,  and  you  are 

Obliged  to  poorly  dress ; 
If  'tis,  lo,  in  the  business  world 

Your  lot  to  lag  behind, 
While  you — how  hard  you  strive — the  path 

To  fortune  never  find. 

Yes !  a  "back  number"  you'll  be  called 

As  soon  as  it  is  known 
That  you  but  little  money  earn — 

But  then  don't  sigh  and  moan; 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  49 

While  you  no  progress  make,  the  world 

Don't  seem  to  care  for  you, 
While  you  know  what  it  is  to  want — 

No  matter  what  you  do. 

Yes !  a  "back  number"  you'll  be  called 

Wherever  you  may  roam, 
While  you  with  those  whom  ill-luck  damns 

Are  forced  to  find  a  home ; 
If  you,  in  life,  to  prosper,  fail, 

And  far  from  plenty  stray, 
While  you  pursue  some  calling  that 

The  world  declares,  "don't  pay." 

I  LOVE  MY  GOLD  TOO  WELL. 

To-day  "a  rich  man"  I  am  called, 

But  not  a  generous  one, 
For  I  believe  in  being  snug, 

E'en  though  it  causes  fun ; 
For  why  should  I  to  others  give 

Outside  my  family? 
What  profit  I  would  gain  thereby 

I  strive  in  vain  to  see. 

I  think  more  of  my  pocket-book 

Than  of  a  man  in  need, 
So  why  ought  I  to  kindly  act 

Or  the  half-starved  to  feed? 
I  don't  care  what  the  public  says, 

It  matters  not  to  me, 
So  long  as  I  am  justified, 

Lo,  from  a  tramp  to  flee. 

On  saving  I  am  so  intent 

How  could  I  dare  to  give, 
When  I  am  ready  to  confess 


5O  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

That  I  like  misers  live? 
For  when  I  have  to  spend  a  cent 

I  like  a  toper  shake, 
And  feel  as  though  I'd  like  to  leap 

Into  an  icy  lake. 

So  friends,  should  I  die  suddenly, 

Remember  what  I  say, 
I  love  my  gold  too  well  to  give 

E'en  a  few  cents  away ; 
For  I  believe  in  getting  all 

I  can — and  hoarding  it — 
E'en  though  among  the  niggardly 

It  be  my  lot  to  sit. 

WHO  JUDGE  FROM  THE  STANDPOINT  OF 
GOLD. 

Who  judge  from  the  standpoint  of  gold 

With  pride  have  much  to  do, 
And  to  the  rules  of  decency 

Know  how  to  prove  untrue; 
For  they  should  judge  one's  character 

And  not  his  bank  account, 
If  they  dare  hope  to  drink  some  day 

From  reason's  crystal  fount. 

Who  judge  from  the  standpoint  of  gold 

From  justice  often  stray, 
And  in  the  haunts  of  righteousness 

Are  rarely  known  to  stay; 
For  mammon  is  the  god  they  love, 

That  they  delight  to  praise, 
While  they,  alas,  with  eager  eyes 

On  golden  dollars  gaze. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  51 

Who  judge  from  the  standpoint  of  gold 

Have  much  to  answer  for, 
When  in  behalf  of  heartless  greed 

They  dare  to  madly  war; 
When  the  oppressed,  for  mammon's  sake, 

They  love  to  bleed  and  grind, 
And   in   their   soul-degrading  work 

Do  joy  and  pleasure  find. 

Who  judge  from  the  standpoint  of  gold 

Know  how  to  meanly  act, 
Because,  alas !  they  ne'er  have  been 

By  right  and  honor  backed ; 
Because  'tis  character  they  ought 

To  judge  and  not  one's  gold; 
Because  'tis  plainly  to  be  seen 

They  are  to  mammon  sold. 

HOWEVER  RICH. 

However  rich,  you  can  be  good, 
And  talk  and  act  as  wisdom  would ; 
Tho'  countless  thousands  you  possess, 
You  can  your  fellow  beings  bless. 

However  rich,  you  can  refrain 
From  causing  others  needless  pain, 
And  live  a  life  worth  living  here, 
And  to  your  friends  your  name  endear. 

However  rich,  you  need  not  be 
One  who  makes  light  of  poverty, 
Or  worship  at  the  shrine  of  greed, 
Nor,  to  please  gain,  your  neighbors  bleed. 


52  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

However  rich,  you  can  shun  pride, 
And  o'er  your  neighbors  never  ride ; 
And,  if  you  will,  a  good  life  lead, 
Arid  kindness'  precepts  daily  heed. 

However  rich,  you  can  be  just, 
And  in  your  heavenly  Father  trust, 
So  long  as  you  would  nobly  walk 
And  justice'  progress  never  balk. 

However  rich,  do  not  oppress, 
But  follow  after  righteousness, 
And  in  the  ranks  of  those  be  found 
Who  never  do  the  homeless  hound. 

However  rich,  you  can  sow  seeds 
That  kindness  loves  and  do  good  deeds ; 
And  those  whose  lot  in  life  is  drear 
Be  not  ashamed  to  bless  and  cheer. 

However  rich,  you  can  refuse 
The  weak  and  friendless  to  abuse, 
Or  on  the  public  to  impose — 
As  he  who  fairly  judges  knows. 

SHOULD  YOU   SOME  DAY  WITH  WEALTH 
RESIDE. 

Should  you  some  day  with  wealth  reside, 

Be  careful  how  you  act, 
If  you  would  be  a  friend  to  worth, 

To  principle  and  tact. 

Should  you  some  day  with  wealth  reside 

On  pride  of  gold  look  down, 
And  on  the  whims  of  vanity 

Be  not  afraid  to  frown. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  53 

Should  you  some  day  with  wealth  reside, 

Do  not  act  miserly, 
And  when  you  ought  to  kindly  act 

Have  no  desire  to  flee. 

Should  you  some  day  With  wealth  reside, 

Strive  to  act  sensibly, 
And  from  vain  fads  and  foolishness 

Wish  to  be  wholly  free. 

Should  you  some  day  with  wealth  reside, 

A  part  worth  acting  play, 
And  on  the  stage  of  life  with  those 

Who  walk  uprightly,  stray. 

Should  you  some  day  with  wealth  reside, 

Be  on  the  side  of  right, 
And  ne'er  your  fellow-men  oppress, 

Or  stray  from  justice'  sight. 

Should  you  some  day  with  wealth  reside, 

With  one  and  all  be  fair, 
While  right  and   honor  you   esteem, 

And  to  be  honest,  dare. 

Should  you   some   day  with   wealth   reside, 

Be  not  in  touch  with  greed, 
But  good  advice  from  righteousness 

Be  not  ashamed  to  heed. 


WHAT  FRIEND  CAN  DO  SO  MUCH  FOR  YOU? 

What  friend,  can  do  so  much  for  you 

As  mammon  when  in  need, 
When  pennyless  and  none  for  you 


54  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

Will  do  a  kindly  deed; 
When  you  are  homeless  and  despised 

By  those  who  judge  by  gold, 
When  sad  misfortune  forces  you 

To  sleep  out  in  the  cold? 

What  friend  can  do  so  much  for  you 

When  you  have  debts  to  pay, 
And  creditors  are  cross,  and  you 

Know  not,  to  turn,  which  way ; 
When  sickness  comes  and  you  are  shunned 

And  left,  perhaps,  to  die, 
When  you  forgotten  by  the  world, 

With  poverty  dost  lie? 

What  friend  can  do  so  much  for  you, 

Should  you  in  business  fail, 
Or  what  can  fill  its  place  when  you 

A  pauper's  lot  bewail; 
What  can  make  you  esteemed  again, 

Or  set  you  on  your  feet, 
Or  cause  the.  world  to  bow  and  smile 

Like  friends  you  used  to  greet? 

What  friend  can  make  you  sweeter  smile, 

Or  bow  so  oft  to  you, 
Or  to  your  interests  cause  friends 

To  be  so  just  and  true ; 
And,  when  at  last  to  death  you  bow, 

And  you  have  said  "good-bye," 
What  can  for  your  remains  so  grand 

A  mausoleum  buy? 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  55 

YES,  IF. 

If  you  in  life  fail  to  succeed 

When  scrambling  after  gold, 
Don't  be  surprised  when  you  some  day 

Are  left  out  in  the  cold. 

If  you  in  money-making  fail, 

The  world  will  pass  you  by, 
And  think  you   as   important,   lo! 

As  a  down-hearted  fly. 

If  you  a  dollar  rarely  see, 

Who  then  dost  care  for  you? 
The  proud  and  prosperous? — oh,  no! 

A  very,  very  few. 

If  you  for  want  of  means  are  forced 

To  in  the  background  keep, 
Who  cares  among  the  slaves  to  gold. 

Tho'  you  with  squalor  sleep? 

If  you  are  good,  or  otherwise — 

No  matter  what  you  do — 
While  you  but  little  money  earn 

The  world  don't  care  for  you. 

Couplet. 

Of  fortune's  sons  why  envious  be, 
While  you  wish  to  act  sensibly? 

THE  LOVE  OF  GOLD. 

The  love  of  gold  can  cause  one  to 

A  fellow  being  slay, 
And  coax  him  from  the  paths  of  right 


56  MAMMON    IN   VERSELAND 

To  wander  far  away; 
Unless  he  treads  in  Jesus'  steps 

And  with  the  upright  walks, 
Or  in  the  spotless  chairs  of  right 

And  honor  daily  rocks. 

The  love  of  gold  can  cause  one  to 

Look  down  on  charity, 
And  even  force  his  callous  heart 

To  become  miserly; 
And  even  ruin  one's  character 

And  mar  a  worthy  name, 
And  to  a  bright  and  cheery  home 

Bring  trouble,  hate  and  shame. 

The  love  of  gold  can  cause  one  to 

A  tyrant's  part  play  well, 
And  force  dishonest  men,  for  gain, 

Their  souls  to  meanness  sell; 
Since  naught  can  make  the  greedy  act, 

Alas!  so  heartlessly 
Toward  those  who  are  obliged  to  toil 

And  battle  poverty. 

The  love  of  gold,  when  wed  to  pride, 

Can  slight  the  wise  and  good, 
If  they  are  poor  and  rarely  act 

As  right  and  goodness  would; 
For  none  can  more  absurdly  act 

Than  one  whom  gold  puffs  up, 
Who  with  the  vain  and  foppish  few 

Is  often  seen  to  sup. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  57 

MONEY  AND  OLD-AGE. 

If  you  are  old  and  wealthy,  too. 

The  world  for  you  will  care, 
And  seek  your  company  so  long 

As  you  do  richly  fare; 
For  money  makes  the  aged  seem 

More  pleasing  to  the  eye, 
When  they  have  much  of  this  world's  goods — 

For  what  so  many. sigh. 

If  you  are  old  and  wealthy,  too, 

You'll  ne'er  neglected  be 
By  those  who  love  to  flatter  gold 

And  sneer  at  poverty ; 
But  you  will  have  a  welcome  warm 

Wherever  you  may  go, 
While  money  is  the  thing  the  world 

Esteems  the  most,  you  know. 

If  you  are  old  and  wealthy,  too, 

The  world  will  bow  to  you, 
And  in  your  pathway,  night  and  day, 

The  seeds  of  flattery  strew; 
For  then  you  are  of  some  account, 

Your  neighbors  love  to  think, 
Whom  from  the  bitter  fount  of  greed 

Are  not  ashamed  to  drink. 

If  you  are  old  and  wealthy,  too, 

Your  friends  will  sweetly  smile, 
And  love  with  you  whene'er  they  can, 

An  idle  hour  to  while ; 


58  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

And  never  call  you  "burdensome," 

But  on  you  gladly  wait, 
And  toward  you  civil  act,  like  one 

Who  knocks  at  justice'  gate. 

MY  GREEDY  HEIRS. 

Now  I  am  dead  and  gone,  I  hope 

My  heirs  are  satisfied, 
Since  they  declared,  long  'ere  I  did, 

"He  should  have  sooner  died," 
As  they  thought  more  about  my  gold 

Than  they  e'er  did  of  me, 
Tho'  they  my  smiling  countenance 

Seemed  always  glad  to  see. 

My  greedy  heirs  are  feasting  now 

On  what  I  labored  for 
From  early  morn  till  late  at  night, 

When  trying  days  I  saw, 
And  laughing  in  their  sleeves,  because 

At  last  I'm  out  of  sight — 
As  I  should  be — since  I  on  earth 

Was  very,  very  tight. 

The  poor  are  better  off,  I  think, 

Tho'  some  wish  they  were  dead, 
When  they  with  poverty  are  forced 

To  daily  make  their  bed ; 
So  my  gold-loving  heirs,  I'm  sure, 

Will  not  mourn  long  for  me, 
But  rather  loudly  celebrate — 

I  was  so  miserly. 

I  was  so  very  close  on  earth 
I  might  as  well  be  here, 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  59 

For  whom,  I  now  believe,  my  heirs 

Have  never  shed  a  tear; 
And  why  should  they,  I'd  like  to  know, 

When  they  longed  for  my  death, 
While  night  and  day  they  hoped  and  prayed 

That  I  would  lose  my  breath? 

WHILE  YOU  HAVE  MONEY. 

You  never  need  to  friendless  be, 
Or  shake  the  hand  of  poverty, 
While  you  have  money. 

You  can  with  plenty  always  dine 
And  clothing  wear  that's  rich  and  fine, 
While  you  have  money. 

You  can  sometimes  with  gold  be  free 
And  give  to  aid  humanity, 
While  you  have  money. 

You  can  a  stranger  be  to  debt 
And  shining  greenbacks  often  pet, 
While  you  have  money. 

You  can  in  your  own  home  abide 
And  with  the  prosperous  daily  ride, 
While  you  have  money. 

You  can  be  thought  more  of  than  one 
Who  never  saw  prosperity's  sun, 
While  you  have  money. 

You  can  for  worthy  objects  give, 
And  in  the  haunts  of  affluence  live, 
While  you  have  money. 


60  MAMMON    IN   VERSELAND 

You  can  be  flattered  and  admired 

Till  you  of  foolishness  are  tired, 

While  you  have  money. 

You  can  the  innocent  betray 
And  lure  them  from  the  right  away. 
While  you  have  money, 

You  can  the  cause  of  goodness  aid 
And  be  a  power  in  marts  of  trade, 
While  you  have  money. 

You  can  oppress  or  justice  woo, 
Or  widely  seeds  of  kindness  strew, 
While  you  have  money. 

I'M  CALLED  A  GENTLEMAN. 

Because  I  great  possessions   own 

And  in  a  mansion  dwell, 
Because  I  fashionably  dress 

And  look  so  very  swell, 

I'm  called  "a  gentleman." 

While  I  in  costly  coaches  ride 
With  multi-millionaires, 

And  I  can  chum  and  feast  with  one 
Who  always  richly  fares, 
I'm  called  "a  gentleman." 

While  fortune  on  me  sweetly  smiles, 
And  I  am  living  on 

The  interest  of  my  gold,  and  I 
Can  blow  on  plenty's  horn, 
I'm  called  "a  gentleman." 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  6 1 

E'en  when  I  do  not  live  and  act 

As  right  and  honor  would, 
E'en  when  'tis  known  that  I  dislike 

To  labor  to  do  good, 

I'm  called  "a  gentleman." 

When  I  from  goodness'  paths  depart 

And  sneer  at  honesty, 
While  I  can  like  a  monarch  live 

E'en  then  by  some,  by  gee ! 

I'm  called  "a  gentleman." 

But,  oh !  if  e'er  my  fortune  flees, 

And  I  my  bills  can't  pay, 
Then,  truthfully,  I  must  confess, 

I  could  no  longer  say, 

I'm  called  "a  gentleman." 

THO'  TALENTED  OR  NOT. 

Tho'  talented  or  not,  if  you 

Among  the  needy  dwell, 
But  few  among  your  fellow-men 

Will  stop  to  wish  you  well ; 
When  keenly  pierce  the  pangs  of  want 

But  few  will  notice  you, 
But  rather  wish  your  humble  name 

On  earth  they  never  knew. 

Tho'  talented  or  not,  if  you 

No  influence  possess, 
If  you  are  poor  in  this  world's  goods — 

Tho'  rich  in  righteousness, 
But  few  will  stoop  to  notice  you, 


62  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

Unless  to  meanly  grin 
At  your  expense,  and  often  swear 
That  "poverty  is  sin." 

Tho'  talented  or  not,  but  few 

Will  lend  a  helping  hand 
If  you,  alas !  belong  to  sad 

Misfortune's  luckless  band ; 
While  fortune  frowns  upon  your  lot 

And  you're  unknown  to  fame, 
But  few,  indeed,  will  notice  you, 

Tho'  spotless  be  your  name. 

Tho'  talented  or  not,  if  you 

Are  cursed  by  penury, 
Friends  will  be  few,  so  long  as  you 

Know  not  prosperity; 
So  long  as  you  are  poorly  dressed 

But  few  will  bow  to  you, 
No  matter  what  your  talents  are — 

No  matter  what  you  do. 

UNJUSTLY  SLIGHTED. 
[A  Dialogue.] 

John — Why  do  you  never  visit  me 

Or  wish  your  friend  of  old  to  see? 

Charles — Because  you  dress  so  shabbily 
And  dine  so  oft  with  poverty. 

John — Why  do  you  slight  me  everywhere 
And  never  think  of  my  welfare? 

Charles — Because,  like  me,  you  cannot  show 
A  bank  account — as  you  well  know. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  63 


John — When  I  was  well-to-do,  you  shook 

My  hand  and  in  my  face  would  look. 

Charles — When  you  had  gold,  I  must  admit, 
With  you  I  want  ashamed  to  sit. 

John — When  I  had  gold  and  could  in  style 
Appear,  at  me  you  loved  to  smile. 

Charles — This  solemn  fact  I  can't  deny, 

For  then  I  bowed  when  we  passed  by. 

John — Then  in  my  company  you  felt 

At  home  and  with  me  kindly  dealt. 

Charles — Well,  you  are  poor  enough  to-day 
To  make  me  wish  you  far  away. 

John — By  gold  and  style  you  judge,  I  see, 
And  not  as  goodness,  righteously. 

Charles — I'm  like  the  world  that  loves  to  slight 

The  poor — though  it  be  wrong  or  right. 

John — The  world  lauds  those  who  wealth  possess 
And  in  the  height  of  fashion  dress. 

Charles — I  can't  deny  what  you  have  said, 
Because,  by  pride,  I  own  I'm  led. 

John — 'Tis  pride  of  gold  that  makes  you  slight 
One  who  would  for  your  welfare  fight. 

Charles — Ay,  ay!  this  is  the  real  cause 

That  makes  me  tread  on  justice'  laws. 


64  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

John — If  I  was  well  supplied  with  gold 
I  would  not  be  out  in  the  cold. 

Charles — Then  I  would  quickly  call  on  you 
And  to  your  interests  be  true. 

THE  MODEL  BUSINESS  MAN. 
[From  the  moral  standpoint.] 

The  model  business  man  is  one 

Who  stands  by  honesty 
In  sunshine  and  in  storm,  and  from 

The  right  would  never  flee ; 
Who  ne'er  becomes  a  slave  to  greed 

Nor  blindly  worships  gold, 
But  lives  like  one  who  has  for  gain 

His  conscience  never  sold. 

Who  is  a  foe  to  shameless  graft, 

Wherever  he  may  dwell, 
Whose  actions  night  and  day  for  truth 

And  justice  wisely  tell, 
Refusing  to  be  bribed — how  rich, 

How  great  the  briber  be, 
But  daily  walking  in  the  steps 

Of  those  from  meanness  free. 

Who  never  dares  to  basely  steal, 

Or  to  misrepresent, 
Nor  e'en  the  rich  or  poor,  out  of 

A  cent,  would  ever  cheat ; 
Whose  word  can  be  depended  on 

In  dark  or  sunny  hours — 

Whose  honest  methods  none  condemn- 
On  whom  fall  justice'  showers. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  65 

Who  never  takes  advantage  of 

Or  others  dare  oppress, 
But  to  fair-dealing  is  a  friend 

That  stands  by  righteousness; 
Who  daily  strives  to  justly  live, 

As  worth  and  honor  would, 
And  never  longs  to  wander  from 

The  worthy  and  the  good. 

NO  CHANGE  IN  ME. 

Now  fortune  at  me  sweetly  smiles 
And  I  with  wealth  can  dine, 
And  easily  a  banker's  check 

For  thousands  quickly  sign ; 
No  change  in  me,  my  neighbors  say, 

Has  come  in  consequence, 
Since  I  have  in  a  mansion  dwelt 
And  called  on  wealthy  gents ; 

For  why  should  gold  cause  me  to  slight 

The  friends  I  used  to  know, 
And,  consequently,  cause  me  to 

The  seeds  of  folly  sow? 
So  I  shall  not  unjustly  act 

And  play  the  part  of  fool, 
Till   I   forget  what  I  once  learned 

In  wise  instruction's  school. 

Why  should  I  change  for  mammon's  sake, 

As  shallow  minds  have  done, 
And  for  those  who  have  better  sense 

An  object  be  for  fun, 
When  I  was  wiser  taught  at  home 


66  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

By  one  I  dearly  prize, 
Whose  hallowed  memory  to  my  heart 
Is  bound  by  filial  ties  ? 

However  wealthy  I  become 
I'll  not  old  friends  e'er  slight 

So  long  as  I  shall  wisely  act 

And  battle  for  the  right; 

While  I  am  not  a  slave  to  pride, 
To  gold  and  foolishness, 

While  I  my  fellow-men,  than  harm, 
Had  rather  cheer  and  bless. 

THE  YOUNG  DO  WELL. 

The  young  do  well  when  they  refuse 

To  squander  gold, 
When  they  shun  those  who  have  their  souls 

To  mammon  sold. 

The  young  do  well  when  they  would  not 

Act  niggardly, 
When  they  on  saving  are  intent 

That  they  may  prosperous  be. 

The  young  do  well  who  see  that  gold 

Don't  puff  them  up, 
When  they  act  sensibly  and  quaff 

From  wisdom's  cup. 

The  young  do  well,  indeed,  when  they 

For  others  feel, 
When  they  for  gold  refuse  to  lie, 

To  cheat  and  steal. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  67 

A  TOUCHING  DIALOGUE. 

Tom — We  used  to  play  together,  Ben, 

In  childhood — long  ago, 
In  a  fair  country  town,  where  pinks 
And  daisies  grow. 

Ben — Oh,  yes!  I  know  full  well  we  did, 
And  pleasant  days  were  spent 
Where  nature's  charms  can  bless  and  cheer 
And  we  were  quite  content. 


Tom — 'Tis  true,  indeed,  we  were  quite  pleased 

To  live  a  simple  life, 
For  we  were  happy  strangers  then 
To  greed's  unrighteous  strife. 

Ben — We  thought  of  play,  and  not  of  gold, 

Of  having  a  good  time, 
When  in  our  purses  we  could  not 
E'en  find  a  silver  dime. 


Tom — Years,  memory  loves  to  cherish  so, 

Passed  rapidly  away, 
And  now  to-day  one  ne'er  would  think 
I  used  with  you  to  play. 


Ben — 'Tis  true,  those  golden  days  have  passed 

And  we  no  longer  meet 
On  the  same  level,  or  e'en  bow 
When  passing  on  the  street. 


68  MAMMON    IN    VERSELANU 

Tom — To-day  the  world  is  wont  to  judge 

One  by  his  gold  and  style, 
So,  should  you  speak  to  one  so  poor 
It  might  provoke  a  smile. 

Ben — An  old  friend  I  dislike  to  slight, 

But  gold  makes  me  feel  proud, 

So,  I  suppose  there'll  be  no  change 

Till  I  have  donned  the  shroud. 

Couplet. 

Purse-pride  is  not  in  touch  with  common  sense, 
Nor  longs  to  climb  o'er  understanding's  fence. 

QUARTRAIN. 

Who   slights   the   worthy   to 

Please  pride  of  gold, 
Deserves  some  day  to  sleep 

Out  in  the  cold. 


QUARTRAIN. 

How  gold  can  puff  the  empty-minded  up 
And  cause  a  fool  to  boast, 
And  stimulate  the  simpletons  who  cruise 
Along  vain  folly's  coast! 


Couplet. 

One  may  make  money  and  disgrace  his  name, 
And  recklessly  his  friends  and  neighbors  shame. 


MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND  69 

Couplet. 

Who,  but  a  fool,  admires  a  summer  friend, 
Or  would  to  him  their  purses  gladly  lend? 

Couplet. 

Money  can  seeds  of  hatred  sow, 
And  cause  men  to  strike  a  death  blow. 

QUARTRAIN. 

Money  can  force  rich  relatives 

At  their  poor  kin  to  grin, 
Thus  forcing  them  against  their  will 

To  be  in  touch  with  sin. 


QUARTRAIN. 

One  can  be  rich  and  kindly  seem, 

Or  poor  and  selfish  act, 
Or  those  who  wisely  live  are  not 

In  touch  with  right  and  tact. 

Couplet. 

Not  all  who  wed  for  gold  find  happiness, 
Or  those  who  grind  the  poor  the  lowly  bless. 

Quartrains. 

Not  all  whom  fortune  favors  most 

Are  fond  of  doing  good, 
Or  long  to  play  a  noble  part 

In  life  as  goodness  would. 


7O  MAMMON    IN    VERSELAND 

Far  from  dishonesty  reside 
And  never  dare  to  cheat, 

If  you  in  goodness'  fields,  than  tares. 
Had  rather  garner  wheat. 

To  aid  the  interests  of  sin 
Your  gold  refuse  to  give, 

While  you  with  those  who  wisely  walk 
Desire  to  daily  live. 

Couplet. 

Beware  of  those  who  never  give, 
If  you  desire  to  nobly  live. 


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